Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met in Washington on Wednesday and pledged to continue working closely together on issues of mutual interest and concern.”©
The Philippine Embassy in Washington said the two secretaries reaffirmed the importance of the partnership and alliance between both countries, which Secretary Tillerson noted is “on an upward vector.””©”©
“Secretary Tillerson and I discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including our ongoing campaign against criminality, terrorism and illegal drugs,” Cayetano said after meeting his American counterpart at the State Department.”©”©
Cayetano said he informed Tillerson that Manila would welcome further cooperation with Washington, especially on initiatives that would address the illegal drugs problem in the country. “©”©
He added that he discussed with Tillerson the openness of the Philippines to receive independent observers or investigators who wishes to take a closer look into not only the illegal drug problem but also the government’s campaign to eradicate it.”©”©
“We made it clear that we have nothing to hide and that we are ready to work with experts or observers as long as they are independent and fair,” Secretary Cayetano said in a statement issued after the meeting.”©”©
“We would welcome experts if they can assure us they would not politicize the investigations because we want to make sure the outcome would be credible,” Secretary Cayetano said, as he again emphasized the gravity of the illegal drug problem in the country.
“In the 25 years that I have been in public service, I have seen statistics from various sources placing the number of drug users and dependents from as low as one million to as high as seven million,” the Secretary said.
“Although the statistics, the classification of users and the methodology used vary, they all still point to the seriousness of the illegal drug problem is in the Philippines,” he said. “©”©
Cayetano also clarified to Tillerson that contrary to media reports, the Philippines does not have a state policy allowing extra-judicial killings, especially against illegal drug suspects. “©”©
During the meeting, Secretary Cayetano expressed Manila’s appreciation for the US$2 million assistance that Washington extended to support the government campaign against illegal drugs.”©”©
The amount, which is covered under the Amendment to the Existing Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, is intended to support Philippine initiatives on public health and community-based interventions. “©
The amendment was signed by Secretary Cayetano and US Ambassador Sung Kim in Manila on September 8. “©”©
Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto said the Secretary also thanked Tillerson for the sustained US engagement in the region, as demonstrated by the latter’s active participation in the ASEAN meetings in Manila this year under the Philippines’ chairmanship.
According to Chuasoto, Secretary Cayetano also encouraged US businesses to take advantage of the positive economic climate in the Philippines and consider investing there. “©”©
Aside from Chargé d’Affaires Chuasoto, the Secretary was accompanied to the meeting by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Luis Montales, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Andrelita Austria and Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations. “©”©
Secretary Cayetano is on an official visit to Washington, D.C. after participating in the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. While in the US capital, he has been advocating core Philippine national and foreign policy interests with various US government officials and members of various think-tanks as well as with members of the Filipino community.